First Cuban dissidents should leave for Spain in "next few days"

The first five of 52 soon-to-be released political prisoners in Cuba are due to travel to Spain "within the next few days," the Catholic Church in Havana has said, DPA reported.

The Archdiocese of Havana published the names of the first five prisoners to leave the country on their website late Thursday local time.

Cuba's decision to release the prisoners comes after intense pressure from Western nations, following the death of a political detainee on hunger strike. Spain has urged the EU to respond to the releases by normalizing ties.